Alcohol torch



Aug. 5, 1930. [MFELD 1,772,254

ALCOHOL TORCH Filed July 9, 1929 Patented Aug. 5, 1939 srAr ATEN JOSEPH M. IMFELD, or NEWARK, NEW JERsEYjAssmNon TG o'rro BERNZ 00. me,

A CORPORATION on NEW :innsEY ALCOHOL ronorr Application filed ."luly 9, 1929. Serial No. 376,929.

This invention relates in general to alcohol torches, and the general objectof the invention is to provide an alcohol torch einbodying novel and improved features of construction whereby simplicity and cheapness in construction and reliability, convenience and efficiency in operation are obtained.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved construction and combination of the reservoir, combustion tube and holder therefor, and a vent valve for the reservoir whereby the combustion tube may be easily mounted and carried on the reservoir and held against accidental displacement therefrom by the vent valve. Other objects are to provide a novel and improved wick holder for maintaining the wick in proper relation to the burner, and to obtain other advantages and results as will be brought. out by the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding and like parts are designated through the several views by the same reference characters- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through an alcohol torch embodying my invention showing the same supported in inclined position by the handle.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a torch shown in Figure 1 with the combustion tube removed.

Figure 3 is a perspective burner cap applied.

Figure 4c is a side elevation of the torch in vertical position with its handle folded into inoperative relation to the fuel reservoir, and

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a torch as shown in Figure 4. I

Specifically describing the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the reference character A designates a cylindrical body or fuel reservoir which is closed at one end by a removable cap 1 which has lugs 2 thereon to serve as feet for supporting the reservoir in vertical position. The cap 1 has therein an opening 3 for pouring liquid fuel into the reservoir, said opening being closed by a plug 4:.

The opposite end of the reservoir has an inwardly dished or cupped wall 5 centrally view with the through which passes a burner and wick tube 6. This tube projects into the reservoir a considerable distance as at 7 to receive and hold the wick 8 which preferably has connected thereto a rod 9 for forcing the wick into the tube. The burner portion 10 of the tube projects outwardly and has its extremity returned inwardly as at 11 to form a seat into which is screw-threaded a burner nozzle 12. Theburner portion 10 of the tube is also preferably outwardly tapered to receive and fric-' tionally hold a combustion'tube 13. A piece of gauze 14: is arranged at the base of the burner nozzle and is held in that position by the wick. This gauze prevents the end of the rod 9 and solid particles from entering. the nozzle aperture. p

'For securely holding .the wick in proper relation to the wick and the burner tube, I provide a wick holder 15 which is preferably formed of spring material and substantially U-shaped. A prong 16 extends from the-base of the wick holder to penetrate into the wick and prevent the holder from tilting in the reservoir A. The edge of the reservoir is preferably turned inwardly at 17 to formga flange beneath which the arms ofthe wick holder engage. For manipulating the torch and also for supporting it in inclined position. where desired, I have provided a handle-stand which consists of two substantially triangular wire loops 18 which are hingedly connected by hinge sleeves 19 to the. edges of a plate, 20 which is soldered or brazed or otherwise secured to the exterior of the reservoir A. The loops are preferably transversely curved substantially concentrically with the reservoir A, that is, the planes of theloops are arcuate and of substantiallythe. same radiusjas the exterior of the reservoir, so that when the torch is out of use, the loops may be swung into close and conforming contact with the reservoir as shown in Figures 4: and 5. When it is desired to use the torch, the loops are. swung outwardly at an angle to the reservoir as shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, when the loops may serve as handles oras a stand or support.

In use of the torch, the wick is forced into IOU the burner and wick tube 6 and there held by thewick holder 15 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Alcohol or other suitable liquid fuel is poured into the dished or cupped end 5 of the reservoir when the latter is in vertical position, said cupped end thus serving as a preheating cup. This fuel is ignited and heats the burner portion 10 of the tube so as to vaporize the fuel. The vaporized fuel emerging from the nozzle 12 is then ignited,'and further and continuous vaporization of the fuel is thus caused by the heat from the burner nozzle which is conducted downwardly through the burner portion of the tube 6. It is desirable to use a tapered perforated combustion tube 13 which can be slipped over the outer end of the tube 6 as shown in Figure 1, to enhance combustion and direct the flame. When not in use this tube may be mounted in a ring bracket 21 secured to the side of the reservoir between the handle loops 18, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, and which has a diameter less than the greatest and larger than the smallest diameter of the tube so that the tube may be wedged in the bracket. A needle vent valve 22 is provided for relieving the pressure generated within the reservoir A, and whenit is desired to extinguish the torch, this vent valve is opened and the flame blown out. The valve must be closed before relighting the torch. Preferably said valve is engage said wick and spring arms to engage under said inturned flange for holding the wick in said wick-tube.

2. A. torch comprising a fuel reservoir, a

burner connected thereto, a wick in said reservoir for supplying fuel to said burner, and a vent valve'for releasing the pressure of vaporized fuel within said reservoir, a tapered combustion tube to be removably attached to said burner, and'a supporting so related to said ring bracket as to limit 7 accidental endwise movement of said combustion tube out of the bracket. To remove the combustion tube it is necessary to move it obliquely with respect to the reservoir.

It will be observed that in addition to serving as a wick holder and burner tube, the tube 6 also serves to prevent any liquid fuel from flowing out of the nozzle 12 when the reservoir is in any position, for example, upside down. There is never enough fuel in the reservoir tofiow over the tube 6 when the burner is upside down.

When the burner is not in use, a burner cap 23 is fitted over the burner portion 10 so as to prevent evaporation of the fuel.

WVhile I have shown the torch as embodying certain details of construction, it will be understoodthat this is primarily for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention, and that many modifications and changes may be'made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A torch comprising a fuel reservoir having an opening at one end surrounded by an inturned flange, a closure for said opening, a burner anda wick tube at the other end of the reservoir havinga wick therein for supplying fuel to said burner, and a U- shaped wick-holder having a base portion to ifs 

